Album Review: Red Cain – Red Cain

Taking risks is one of the most awesome parts of life. In fact, I urge you to check out one of the new faces to the metal scene. Jump on board and claim bragging rights before the masses do! 

One-Way Mirror – Capture

Having a presence amongst the metal masses since 2008, quintet, One-Way Mirror, will be releasing their third full-length album, Capture, next week. These guys are pretty big in their native France and originally were signed to Metal Blade Records, so that tells you that they’ve successfully been on one of the biggest metal labels out there on the scene. Each of the members of the group used to be in other projects and eventually all met up and decided to form a supergroup with each of the member’s greatest influnces input into this group. The group soon tapped into their musical strengths and brought out some strong, melodic hard-hitting anthems that they slowly became known for in their area. After pitching some ideas and adopting each other’s styles, the group went into the studio to record their initial album which led to them to become support for Swedish legends, Soilwork on their tour. Over the next few years the group toured a few more times, sharing the stage alongside bands such as Gojira and Loudblast. 

Stinkin’ Of Gold is definitve is raw and gritty hard rock. It’s edgy riffs and light harmonies are pleasing for an opener. A track that really got me going was the third track, The Clock Is Ticking. The group certainly turns the amps up on this one as well as the vocals getting harsher. A harder track, the melodies on this one really got me. It’s a satisffactory blend of hard rock and melody. While this song is pretty hard, if you’re looking to spike your adrenaline and get into a biker fight, switch it to the track, Confusion Core. The heavy and rigourous double bass really gives me eargasms, combined with the in your face riffs, oh boy, talk about a rush. Screenshot has me thinking of the group, Faith No More. The track is simplistic and the vocals take on an almost rap-style approach with slight hints of nu-metal.

[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1zkvjtWd9A[/tube]

What took me by surprise was their cover of Lady Maralade. Though I’m not a fan of the original track, these guys did a decent job of making the track catchy. Possibly one of the best titles for a track, Fuck Your Autotune, also comes with more harsh attitudes even the vocals get heavier with their screaming capabilities. Their musicianship gets very tight later on, and I think it’s kind of ironic the track gets slightly electronic with the title of the track as so. I am sure this track will lure those that are passionate of the genre. The final track, We Love To Complain, brings back some of those nu-metal style riffs and what I liked were the additional featured instruments like violins and strings to add some elements of epic proportion.

It’s been a while since I’ve listened to a hard rock album and this was a pretty good album that helped reinforce my habits within the genre. If you’re a fan of Alice In Chains, Volbeat and even Mudvayne this album will pretty much connect instantly. While this was a more diverse approach that the group brings, I personally would have liked to have seen more aggression and speed throughout the album. The rather unique tones some of the other tracks bring were not too bad either. Nonetheless, a group that is still underground, perhaps after this album, their name will reach bigger masses. Merci! Stay Metal m/

Capture: 7/10

More information can be found on their Official Website, Facebook and Twitter Pages. Please follow us on our Facebook and Twitter Pages as well.

Deceptic – The Artifact

For all of you Modern Melodic Progressive fans, today brings a band from the shores of Gothenburg, Sweden. Named, Deceptic, their beginnings started in 2011 when the three founding members strived to create music that is unheard of, something that would make one think twice. By the end of the year, the first official lineup was born and their debut EP was released as well. The following year, the band begun to write material for this debut album, but unfortunately two of the members departed due to difficult circumstances. Upon the recruitment of two new members, not too long after that, the band was invited to play the biggest metal festival in Sweden, Metaltown. From then on, they realized now that the band was much more than a hobby, making a real career from it, to live music as an everyday job. Sadly, the last two members to join the group departed to focus on other things in life and to grow as people, so the original founding trio decided to continue on and focus more on the album, taking their time and finalzing it with some producers famous for working with bands such as Dir En Grey, The Haunted, Dark Tranquility, Mnemic, and more. As of now, the group recruited two local musicians to their group and now all share a passion, genuine skill and energy for sharing and playing the stage. The group cites bands such as Soilwork, TesseracT, Periphery, Mnemic, Pantera, Tool, In Flames and more as part of their influences. Ready to release their debut album, The Artifact, on August 29th, they are ready to tour wherever and whenever, this is where the real journey of Deceptic begins.

A befitting way to kickoff their debut album, Heart Of The Swarm, is easily one of my favorites of the album. Lead vocalist, William Gustafsson, does an astonishing job of keeping the melodic vocals intact, among talented technique. The guitars keep a perfectly executed tone, just enough of the guitars were present, no overwhelming riffs and onslaught. Overall the composition of the opening track is superb. Oceans, has it’s high set of changing rhythm sections, pleasurable guitar melodies and touches of progressive manners that set a sound that Deceptic are catering innovatively to the masses. One of the more melodic related tracks, A World Unknown, also comes with it’s highly driven changes and breaks. Moreso melodically apt, personally speaking, any measures of melody are favorable. Classic vintage-sounding In Flames sounds bring us into the track, The Shining Throne. Highly influenced by the Gothenburg metal elements, another band comes to mind when I hear this track, Soilwork. The track, Lead Astray, brings back the empowering vocal talents of lead man, William Gustafsson. The clean and gutteral vocal shifts are quick and smoothly transitioned on this track, and really overall on the album.

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfsoZx8k9fw[/tube]

I was receiving hints of Melodeath in the track, Depraved. The lead vocals are as murderous as they get in this one and the instrumentals are almost true with the Swedish Metal scene. Just when I didn’t think the melody of these tracks wouldn’t get even more intimate and truer to their native metal connections, the track, Smorgasbord of Shame, maintains a balance of Death metal elements and their staple sound on the album. The Whah guitaring really adds only more dimension and outlooks on the group. Reborn, is undoubtedly the most melodic and astral track of the album. The track alone deems them oh so worthy of sharing the stage with some of these other bigger named Progressive Acts. Check it out. A more groovy affair completes The Artifact with the track, Life Finds A Way. The eargasmic melodic progression just after the halfway mark puts the band in another light, one that certainly I underestimated. The track has a slight raw edge to it, but nonetheless, a more appropriate way to end the album with. No fade outs, just a normal final cut.

The album gave me much more insight into the genre of Modern Melodic Progressive Metal. I find the album felt complete, showcasing enough talent and skill to be deemed worthy of listening to. In addition, the structural aspect is finite, especially with the group’s well executed complexity of it’s rhythms changes and more. The sound quality is done very professionally and the technique is very well done, to show that they have been practicing for many a time, for a while now. A mostly decent album to debut with, I too would feel most proud of this album to set my initial mark on. The young multi-talented musicians known as Deceptic, continue to push a genre that is growing and gaining immense popularity. Stay Metal m/

The Artifact: 8/10

More information can be found on their Official Website, as well as their Official Facebook Page. Don’t forget to ‘LIKE’ We Love Metal Dot Com on our Facebook Page as well.

Meridian Dawn – The Mixtape EP

The unity that heavy metal has among everyone is a strong force. Whether it is cultural differences, different beliefs, or what have you etc, the power of Heavy Metal brings us together as one. Today’s artist was formed along those lines, for the distance and location of each member is widespread internationally. After about a year of hard work and file exchanging, Modern Melodic Death Metal quintet, Meridian Dawn, have released their debut EP titled, The Mixtape. The band’s members come to us from The US, Belgium and Finland, while their headquarters are based in the States. A studio was constructed at frontman, Antony Hämäläinen’s home, to record most of the album, and then finally the album was sent to be mixed and mastered in Gothenburg, Sweden. The EP brings a most defninite modern approach with a Classic Death Metal influence, hence the members coming from bands such as: Firewind, Nightrage, Into the Moat, and Remembering Never. Five tracks, just over twenty minutes of delectable tunes.

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDFJXrzjacM[/tube]

Thieves, kicks off the EP in a diverse way. A classic influence launches the album, and a plethora of generically heavy blast beats appear at various points. The melodic aspect of the guitar like the tapping really add another spin to the track. The track is not technical in any way, its satisfyingly heavy with just the right amount of attunement brought forth. For you speed freaks, the second track will get you headbanging. Fever Syndrome, gives us a harsher look and sound from the band. Occasional slower breaks are set in motion with a steady progression. The eargasmic harmonies are astounding and the track finishes on a speedy note. I really dig this one. Dressed In Ice, features Jake E of Amaranthe. Still heavy, this is one of the more intimate tracks, you can call it. The astral aspects of the guitar add a pleasurable ambience, and once again the harmonious guitars appear and finish off the pleasant track. The next track, I Don’t Wanna Be, from the get-go is an immediate influence of classic death metal. The track is a tribute to the late Peter Steele of Gothic Pioneers, Type O Negative. Bits of Punk are found as well, and follows a tradional song making process, but that does not deter the harshness this track can bring. Throw in a killer kickass shredding solo and a powerful track is born. I really enjoyed this one. Lastly, the track, Descent, was written by Industrial Metal icons, Fear Factory. The track performed by Meridian Dawn, is a tribute to Fear Factory. Simplistic in structure and rich in modernness, nothing out of hte ordinary is featured here. An average track to finish off the EP, the last song only adds to the vast variety these guys can conquer.

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKkP06yahHM[/tube]

The production and mastering prospects of this EP are above and beyond for an EP. Related to what I had said earlier, it’s interesting to see artists collaborate and when they make a supergroup, usually great things happen. Overall the album brought to me a new refreshing view on metal, and helped me expand upon the modern sound. Everything from the unique riffs, repeatedly harmonious pinnacles, and distinct shifting vocals created a memorable album. This is not your typical metal album, upon listening you will be able to tell. Their musical style is imaginative and cannot be replicated. Stay Metal m/

The Mixtape EP: 9/10

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